MOM to increase Foreign worker levies

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is sending a strong signal to businesses to invest in productivity changes and reduce their reliance on low-skilled foreign workers. The ministry said changes in the foreign worker levies, which will be increased in phases from January 2012 to July 2013 at six monthly intervals, will have the greatest impact on the construction and services sectors. It said the impact on the manufacturing, marine and process sectors will be more moderate. There are nearly 1.1 million foreigners employed in Singapore as at end-2010. Out of the 871,000 work permit holders employed in Singapore, 248,000 are in the construction industry. Andrew Khng, president of the Singapore Contractors Association, said: "Like it or not, the construction industry has always been the biggest consumer of foreign workers. The reason is because there aren't any ...